Make Your own Parts

The Tool and Die/Mold Making certificate program at Southwester Illinois College prepares students with technical knowledge and training in, manufacturing processes, and tooling requirements. The certificate is in addition to the Associates degree in Precision Machining. In the Tool and Die classes at SWIC, students will take courses in Die Making principles, metallurgy, selection of tool steels and various manufacturing processes, with emphasis on stamping, forming, and drawing of sheet metal.

Students will produce a basic single hit stamping die and a progressive die to produce a finished part to tolerances specified. The Mold Making part of the program prepares students with knowledge and hands on training in, molding processes, mold design and requirements and how they affect the final product.

Students will take courses in Mold Making principles, the study of design and fabrication of plastic, die cast, and rubber molds for production of finished products. Included are units of instruction in the flow characteristics of thermoset thermosplastics and die cast materials and their properties. Students will produce a basic injection mold to produce a finished part to tolerances specified.